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APTBS...wow. Just that. Wow.

Posted almost 4 years ago
Its' not often you can go to a tiny city venue and see an amazing band that is clearly too good for the walls holding it in. But last night, a Tuesday of all days, for a whopping $10 per ticket, Jaye and I went to Chop Suey in Seattle to see A Place to Bury Strangers. It’s not that they were polished and slick in performance; actually they were the exact opposite…rough and loud and perfect because of it.This band has gotten a fair amount of MOG love lately and for an extremely good reason; amazingly focused, the men of APTBS put out their unique shoegazery with aplomb. They don’t seem to care whether you liked it or not, rarely looking at the audience for their reactions, seemingly totally into their music.With barely (and sometimes not) suppressed violence they murmured and strummed and loudly beat their musical expressions into our auditory cortex, accompanied by strobe lights and smoke machines, making it a strangely eerie and hypnotic experience. Maybe it was a fault of the venue, but the Seattle show was missing the images projected over and behind the band, which I’m just slightly disappointed because. It’s hard for me to get too worked up over this because the show was just too good for disappointment. I loved it, every moment of it from the first throbbing bass line to the guitar string tearing to the last curl of mist slinking off the stage. Lovely.Afterwards, I told Jono how amazing their show was and he was gracious and friendly, asking me if I got any pictures (and I really hope I wasn’t irritating or distracting with my camera…I never use a flash because I think it’s rude, but he obviously noticed and I wish I could apologize if I were a problem) and giving us pointers on color vs. black and white and the challenges in photographing their shows. Pointers given after the show, I might add…pointers I’ll have to use next time.And there will be a next time. I’ll give APTBS many listens in the future and will see them again, in a heartbeat. So, Pekka and Dale and any other MOGGERs out there smart enough to catch these guys in the next few weeks: ENJOY!
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Comments (30)

  1. watchbatteries
    watchbatteries says A couple friends of mine are going to go see them up in D.C. They make their own instruments and have a really awesome album. I won't be able to make it, unless I miss work or something. Hmmmm. On an unrelated note, I would like the internet to look at this stupid idea: the knitting girl bet
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  2. amber
    amber says Go see them...seriously. You will be able to work lots of days but not see this band this fresh. Go.
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  3. watchbatteries
    watchbatteries says I only work two days a week a set schedule. So yeah. Maybe I can see them and figure out my problems
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  4. RGM
    RGM says Great pics, looks like a kick ass show...
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  5. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says What? No music to go with your post. And only a partial shoe shot? That just ain't right @=P You're slipping up my dear, lol! I guess the live show is what to see since I've heard their album & wasn't that impressed with it. It didn't cause me to want to hear it again which is the hallmark of a great album for me. And I love shoegaze bands & music. Maybe next time their in SF I'll go check 'em out. Glad you enjoyed the show so much.
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  6. amber
    amber says There ??was?? a song to go with the post....grrrrr And I was lucky to get that shoe shot! It was hard to take those pictures. Here's a shoe shot from the opener, The Purrs (great Seattle local shoegazer band, btw) Am I doing better? Bassist from The Purrs
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  7. Dale
    Dale says I'm so stoked! This makes four drooling reviews of their show (Pekka, Mike Zero, Mike Marigold, and now you), and not a clunker in the bunch. I'm seriously going mental with impatience!
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  8. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Much! Now that's a groovy shoe, heh.
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  9. ardyjormkiv
    ardyjormkiv says great review...but, despite all the mog love, i've still not listened to them much. maybe i'll have to change my ways? chop suey is quite the intriguing little venue...i've always felt a bit crowded and it can be hard to see well. i'm guessing you don't have that problem because you always seem to be right in front...i probably just need that kind of dedication!
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  10. Dale
    Dale says Let's see if this helps get some sound into this post. ~3Y9ujVYiAjE.mp3~
    Permalink posted 02/27/2008
  11. SA
    SA says I haven't listened too much to the album either, but guess I have to give it another go. ;) Great to hear you had such a good time. There is nothing better than see a good band for little money in a small venue. ;)
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  12. amber
    amber says Dale...thanks for adding music. It seems it's give and take with my post. Last night Ocean was an option, this morning...not so much. ardy and SA: what are you waiting for???? August...groovy shoes are what I do best. :)
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  13. HelenMarie
    HelenMarie says I've been hearing so much about these guys and liking what I'm hearing all around. However...they're not taking the plunge to the penis of America for this tour. Great post and pic's though! Esp. like that 3rd shot and this... "They don’t seem to care whether you liked it or not, rarely looking at the audience for their reactions, seemingly totally into their music." I respect that. I hear some people mentioning that they want to be talked to...?! Yeah okay, say "hi" but just do what you want to do, and I payed money to hear your music not your speech.
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  14. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says Amber, I'm glad they didn't disappoint! August, they're in SF again tomorrow night (Bottom Of The Hill). I bought my ticket a good while ago, but it's sold out by now.
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  15. jaye
    jaye says i was completely mesmerized by the show.......loved it!!!! the strobe light and fog, made it unique, and i was for once glad i was competely sober...hahahaha!!! thanks to amber to letting me tag along once again (although, this time i was a last minute replacement date)!!! i would see APTBS again in a heartbeat............ thanks to jono for being so polite :>)
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  16. Marigold
    Marigold says Great write up and account of the show Amber. Your pictures are top notch as usual. It is a pretty impressive wall of sound they produce. Its a bummer, you did not get the projector this show, I wounder what was up with that. Maybe they rocked the shit out of the venue from the night before and it fell off the stand and broke.
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  17. darmuzz
    darmuzz says Amber, does you has any hearing left?
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  18. amber
    amber says SunnyD: that shot is my favorite too. I liked the aspect of motion it captured. It was totally a lucky fluke though, captured when the strobe light was on...I had many many shots totally black when the strobe was off. :) I like to be talked to by some bands...depends on the type of music and who's doing the talking. These guys didn't have to chit-chat and I actually think it would have been distracting from the sound. There was never a silent moment and one song flowed into another. No room for idle talk! Pekka...they most certainly didn't disappoint! Have fun at your show! Jaye-bird! You know you're my favorite date. Mike: You are too kind with your words! I suppose it is a bummer we didn't have the projector, but I really enjoyed the show completely anyhow. Next time, it would be nice to see but I'm just not that broken up over it. My head may have exploded if it were any better, anyways. :)
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  19. amber
    amber says Sorry, Dar. Did you say something? ??WHAT?? ? Speak up.
    Permalink posted 02/28/2008
  20. HelenMarie
    HelenMarie says You know, you're right. I do like to be talked to by some bands too. I never mind if they don't talk. But there's a few different examples I have in mind. Saw Cake years ago and he was complaining about camera's in the crowd and then bitched about politics. First time I saw them live and it was rather disappointing. I do love hearing Les Claypool talk. He's always got clever fun things to say. So I guess, if they talk...great. If they bitch...I'm bummed. Sorry to carry on but thought I should clarify...thanks...that's it (for now). : )
    Permalink posted 02/29/2008
  21. poebegone
    poebegone says Amber, it was also mog (Pekka and Dale) that intro'd me to APTBS at the same time as Ceremony - no wonder i'm hooked on moggers. happy for you and everyone who has seen and will see. thanks for sharing the luuv, needless to say. (;
    Permalink posted 02/29/2008
  22. amber
    amber says SunnyD--bitching is ugly when we are all there for a good time. I'm with you, totally! Illay...I was listening to Ceremony last night! Also a MOG discovery (Dale, you are such a EMCD). Love both those bands although I think APTBS ramps the noise and performance up a couple notches. Of course....I've not seen Ceremony. Yet. :)
    Permalink posted 02/29/2008
  23. Dale
    Dale says Amber, I've heard really good things about Ceremony live, but I've yet to see any reports of them playing live anywhere outside of the greater DC area. And while you may blame me for getting you hooked onto Ceremony, Pekka's my main supplier, as he's the one that discovered them forst. :P
    Permalink posted 03/01/2008
  24. Zeroskilz
    Zeroskilz says You got some great pics in there. Great review. I look forward to seeing this band again. I've been recommending them to anyone who will listen. :) I've listened to Ceremony a bit, but I've been listening a lot more to their label mates, The Vandelles. Just got the EP in the mail a few days ago. The Vandelles use a projector in their shows too. Seems to be the thing these days.
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008
  25. amber
    amber says I had tickets to the Vandelles about a month ago but had to pass it up...I think I was sick or something. Dale told me about them too. :)
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008
  26. Zeroskilz
    Zeroskilz says Don't these germs and viruses understand what they do to us when they make us sick? They make us miss good music. If they had ears, I bet they would be nicer. :)
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008
  27. Dale
    Dale says OK, I totally take credit for getting you hooked on The Vandelles, Amber. :)
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008
  28. amber
    amber says It's all your fault, Dale. So many things to blame you for, so many things to thank you for...
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008
  29. Dale
    Dale says And six weeks until you can do both in person. :D
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008
  30. amber
    amber says yah!
    Permalink posted 03/04/2008

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